Our Staff
Chef Asa Rodriguez - Executive Chef
Chef Asa Rodriguez was born in Elyria, Ohio. At the age of 15 he enrolled at Lorain County Joint Vocation School for Culinary Arts in Oberlin, Ohio where he was the nominated Outstanding Senior and was on the Who's Who of American High School Students. In 2004 Chef Rodriguez earned his degree from the Culinary Institute of America where during his formal education he was named the 2003 Northeast ACF Student Chef of the Year . It was also during this time that Chef Rodriguez began his relationship with Chef Hartmut Handke, CMC, AAC. Chef Rodriguez performed his externship with Chef Handke in 2003.
After graduating, Chef Rodriguez traveled to Luxemburg to apprentice with Bocuse d'Or winning Chef Lea Linster in her internationally acclaimed and Michelin starred Restaurant Lea Linster. In 2004 Chef Rodriguez won the Junior Bocuse d' Or in the Lamb and Fish Recipe Categories and participated alongside Chef Fritz Gitchner, CMC in the finals of the 2005 American Bocuse d' Or. Chef Rodriguez then traveled with Chef Gitchner's winning team to represent America in the Bocuse d' Or competition of 2005.
In 2005 Chef Rodriguez returned to Handke's Cuisine to apprentice with Chef Handke. In 2006, he was named Sous Chef and in July 2008 was personally chosen by Chef Handke to succeed him as Executive Chef of Handke's Cuisine.
Chef Rodriguez's philosophy on food combines simplicity of preparation with a natural and organic product base. As Chef Rodriguez says "A quality preparation never hides the ingredient. Quality, simplicity, and consistency. Let the food be the star."
Scott Pierce - Sous-chef
Sous Chef Scott Pierce was born in Sylvania, Ohio. Scott realized his love of food service while still in high school, working in his first restaurant at age 15. After graduating Scott attended the highly regarded Culinary Arts Program at Hocking College.
In 2004 Scott began his competitive career as a member of the American Culinary Federation’s Student Culinary Team. This team won a Gold Medal the State and Second in the Regional Competition with a Silver Medal. Chef Pierce also won a Silver Medal for his “Signature Dish” this year.
In 2005 Chef Pierce was named Captain of the Culinary Team. Under Scott’s leadership this team placed First in State, First in the Region and took Third Place in the National Competition. It was during this competition that Scott began his association with Chef Handke, CMC who was the mentor to the 2005 Culinary Team. Chef Pierce capped off a very successful 2005 by being named Columbus American Culinary Federation Junior Chef of the Year.
For the past three years Scott has worked with Chef Handke, CMC at Handke’s Cuisine where in 2008 he won the Premier Chef Award at the Ohio Pork Producers Taste of Elegance Cook-off.
Cristian Chitu - Maitre d'
Born in Alexandria Romania, Cristian Chitu (pronounced Keetsue) was a Romanian citizen for 34 years. He was educated in Europe, first at the High School of Mathematics and Sciences and later, the University of Bucharest. While there he completed the stringent Mechanical Engineering program consisting of 5 years of study.
After military service and working in the engineering field, a surprising opportunity presented itself. The Swiss branch of Princess Cruises came to Bucharest to interview. Although he knew little about service or food, his English skills were excellent and he was quick to take this chance to see the world. The cosmopolitan nature of both the ship's staff and guests was a fertile learning environment for all aspects of the dining experience. Cristian expanded his knowledge of food, wine, and formal service as he traveled to more than 25 different countries over the next 4 years.
Cristian immigrated to the United States in May 2001 to marry his wife Karen, and the couple now has 3 children, Julian, Andreas, and Mikayla. Upon his arrival in Columbus he made many inquiries to determine the city's finest restaurant. He was directed to Handke's, where he has been a familiar face for 7 years. He has been much appreciated for his professional demeanor, excellent guest service skills, and charming style. "Handke's Cuisine offers a dining experience not to be duplicated elsewhere," he says. "Formal dining in the classic style should leave each guest deeply satisfied with all aspects of their evening. We, at Handke's, strive to create this experience each and every night."
Christy McKinney - Business Manager
A love of food and entertaining brought Christy McKinney to Handke’s Cuisine. A native Ohioan, she left her trained background in nursing to join the business industry in 1984. With more than 25 years of experience in the association, non-profit and hospitality industries she has managed all aspects of event planning – from meetings of 4 to events of 65,000.
Christy has coordinated events involving four Ohio Governor’s, the Ohio Legislature, members of Congress and foreign dignitaries. She managed the Ohio HealthCare Conference, The Ohio Environmental Conference, the Case Studies in Team Excellence and the Ohio Leadership Forum for The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association and was a member of the planning Committee for the Columbus AIDS Task Force semi-annual Art for Life Auction and the annual AIDS Walk.
For the past several years Christy has focused on Weddings and Private Events. She has a do-what-it-takes philosophy and loves serving people. As a member of the Ohio Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives she has built a long list of contacts within the industry.
With an attention to detail she uses her creativity to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Christy personally crafts each venue with the client to meet the goals, expectation and budgetary needs for their special event.